WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, along with Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Josh Hawley (R-MO), all members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The letter urges that any proposed bill affecting border security should undergo careful consideration by the committees of jurisdiction, which includes HSGAC. The senators stressed the need for all members to be afforded the opportunity to thoroughly review and consider any proposed changes that have significant consequences on our nation’s security, immigration system, and taxpayers.
The senators also requested the government officials tasked with implementing these proposals testify publicly to enhance transparency and ensure members are fully informed of the potential consequences of these changes prior to consideration on the Senate floor.
You can read the full letter to Leader Schumer and Leader McConnell HERE or below:
Dear Leader Schumer and Leader McConnell:
We, as members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), strongly urge you to ensure that any proposed bill affecting border security undergo careful consideration by the committees of jurisdiction, including HSGAC. Any legislation impacting border security has significant consequences for our nation’s security, immigration system, and taxpayers. It is imperative that Members of this body are afforded the opportunity to thoroughly review and consider any proposed changes.
Rushing a bill to the Senate floor without allowing adequate time for the committees of jurisdiction to deliberate on the legislation and conduct hearings with individuals possessing relevant expertise would be a significant oversight. We propose that key stakeholders, such as the Secretary of Homeland Security, Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), representatives from National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), and local officials from border states, among others, be granted the opportunity to testify publicly regarding any proposed border security provisions so that we can hear directly from the Biden administration on how they would implement the changes. Committee hearings would not only enhance transparency but also ensure that members are fully informed of the possible consequences prior to consideration on the Senate floor, including the financial implications and long-term effects.
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